Opening of the Northwest passage : marine mammals at risk

Cetaceans inhabiting the Arctic are migratory animals that follow corridors that have been established for generations. They are also faithful to certain feeding grounds in highly productive waters. The Northwest Passage and the Northeast Passage overlap these popular feeding grounds and fall migration routes. Furthermore, certain geographical features form bottlenecks and force ships and marine mammals to share a very limited area. The Bering Strait and Lancaster Sound are areas where the Northwest Passage directly encroaches on the range of marine mammal populations.

Faced with the vulnerability of marine mammals, Donna Hauser’s team suggests mitigation measures to attempt to limit the effect of new shipping lanes. Avoiding critical habitats for species at risk when planning routes and detecting and avoiding whales encountered could make a difference.

In conclusion, ISMER’s Dany Dumont points out that, although melting ice is a key factor for navigation, captains are not likely to sail the maritime routes of the Arctic anytime soon: “If I were a ship owner, in addition to the disappearance of the ice, I would wait until the Arctic climate is less unpredictable to make a crossing. Otherwise, even without ice, it isn’t safe.”

There is still a considerable way to go before Arctic shipping lanes are fully accessible, which buys us a little time to take action and protect vulnerable marine mammals.